Man says he strangled neighbor over cellphone

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — A California man who strangled his neighbor last fall said the woman had refused to return his cellphone.

Edmund Nungaray also apologized for the killing on Wednesday as he was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Crowley pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in June for killing 46-year-old Deirdre Crowley.

At his sentencing, the 61-year-old Nungaray said he was in frail health from a heart condition when he loaned the cellphone to his neighbor. Nungaray said he became anxious when she didn't return it because he was afraid he might need it to call for help in a medical emergency.